What: Conference on International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development
When: June 20, 2018
Where: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari on June 20, 2018 participated in the “Conference on International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028” held at Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
- The topic chosen for this present Conference, “Promoting Action and Policy Dialogue on Water for Sustainable Development” is extremely relevant today, especially in the light of climate change.
- During his speech Shri Gadkari said that water is covered under many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 14 .
- As per the Minister, the Government of India clearly sees sustainable water as a vital input for sustainable development. India has taken significant steps during the last 4 years and made sustainable development of water as one of the top priorities of the Government of India.
- In the field of resource assessment, India is in the process of upgrading its water resources information and management system for scientific development, conservation, and conjoint use of our ground and surface water resources.
- The National Water Information Centre (NWIC) is a modern platform for assessment of surface water and ground water, flood forecasting, reservoir monitoring, coastal information management system and river basin management.
- India has launched an ambitious National project on Aquifer Management (NAQUIM) to completely map 2 million sq. km. of the map-able area of the country. The mapping is followed by proper aquifer management plan.
- In the field of river rejuvenation, the Namami Gange is India’s flagship programme to rejuvenate and make river Ganga pollution free.
- He elaborated that India has launched a flagship programme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna-PMKSY (Prime Ministers Irrigation Project) whereby 99 large irrigation projects will be completed till December, 2019 and thereby create additional irrigation potential of 7.62 million hectares.
- The other important objective of this programme is “Har Khet ko Pani” or provide water to every field by extending command area development & undertaking water management works.
- The other objective of PMKSY is to ensure ‘More Crop Per Drop’, through promotion of micro and drip irrigation and ensuring better water efficiency. We are also settling outstanding issues on the international rivers with our neighbouring countries and within the country, on the inter-state rivers.
- In the field of drinking water, the Government of India is undertaking National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) with the objective of providing adequate safe water for drinking, cooking and other domestic basic needs on sustainable basis through creation of infrastructure.
- The Government of India plans to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.
- Another flagship programme of my Government is Swachh Bharat Mission, which is being executed in both urban and rural areas of India, with focus on safe sanitation and aim to achieve universal sanitation coverage. This program in rural areas shall improve the level of cleanliness, solid and liquid waste management activities and make villages open defecation free (ODF), clean and sanitized.
- In the urban areas, Swachh Bharat Mission targets construction of 6.6 million individual house hold toilets, 0.25 million community toilets and 0.26 million public toilets. Besides, the programme aims to achieve 100% door to door collection and scientific management of municipal waste.
